1 word to sum it all up: Community!!!
With the creation of the national Modern Quilt Guild and the incredible growth of the BostonMQG (not to mention all my friends in the SeacoastMQG), 2013 is the year I found my quilting peeps. I certainly didn't accomplish as much as I have in years past but I definitely had more fun doing it:-)

Monday, December 23, 2013

Every year I try to make homemade holiday gifts. This year I made cloth napkin sets using my Self Binding Napkin tutorial. They're perfect for fat quarters and stitch up really quickly! Even so, I cut it pretty close and whipped up the last batch minutes before we had to leave for the airport.

I picked up this awesome Echino bundle to make napkins for my sister-in-law at the fabulous Sew Fresh Fabrics. I was worried the prints might be a bit juvenile but since it's handmade, Japanese, and eco-conscious it should meet all the Brooklyn hipster criteria plus she has a thing for penguins.

For Dex's teacher I made another set using these adorable Ann Kelle Jingle prints. Maybe it's me who has a thing for penguins;-)

I almost can't bear to part with these ones. I just LOVE this Winter's Lane collection by Kate & Birdie Paper Co. The colors are gorgeous and the prints are just precious. I'm so glad I still have some left... maybe something for me next Christmas;-)

Last but not least, here's Audrey modeling the apron I made for my mother-in-law.

I channeled my inner Scarlet O'Hara and made it using her old curtains from our camp after I finally redecorated this summer.

I loosely followed this awesome Classic Apron tutorial from Michael Miller. Since I wanted to keep the ruffle I just finished the bottom edge of the reverse side and then stitched around the remaining three sides as directed. She was thrilled and I didn't have to feel guilty about throwing away fabric.

Now I can relax and enjoy vacationing with my family this Christmastime... with a little yarn to keep my fingers busy;-)

Friday, December 20, 2013

I finished my hat!!! It went really quickly helped along by the fact that I only did 3 repeats of the cable and I had nothing else to do during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

I've had two knitting geeks recognize it but in case you're not a Ravelry stalker it's the Hermione Hearts Ron by Knit Me Together. I really like the pattern though I can't quite figure out why Christy didn't just write out the rest of the pattern. A trip to my local yarn shop would have been inconvenient, especially with only 2 rows to complete. A huge thank you to Synryo for sharing how to finish.

It's just a tad short and now I wish I had done the full 10 rows of ribbing rather than only 8 but I was so worried it would be too big. I have a really small head and I HATE hats that cover my eyebrows or stick up on top.

Forgive the awkward selfies... we only get about 2 hours of sunlight in New England these days and I couldn't round up a photographer. Luckily, I'm on vacation now and this is the only hat I'll be wearing for a while;-)